Passion can bring happiness

Find a passion and be happy…

Happiness can come from different things, but the one thing inspires me to bring happiness is PASSION. I’ve become very convinced that one of the greatest supports to a person’s happiness is passion. However, the question remains: ‘What is your passion?’

You find that some passions are better than others – where they can help other people, or they’re of a higher nature, or they’re more healthy or wholesome. Well, maybe yes, but any passion is a great boon to happiness.

“A passion gives you a reason to keep learning and to work toward mastery. It can often give you a reason to travel, and therefore to have the new experiences which is a key to happiness. It gives you something in common with other people, and so fosters social bonds. It gives you purpose. It often has a satisfying physical aspect too.”

Your passion can be anything, but it gives meaningful structure to your time and even makes the world a richer place. It can be a huge struggle to identify and pursue your passions – the real passions, not the passions you wish you had.

Maybe food is a passion for you, because you like it so much and it makes you happy, or maybe music? What about dancing? Passion doesn’t just bring happiness to the person who enjoys that passion – it also brings a vicarious pleasure to onlookers. It is important to find a passion that makes you happy, and enjoy it.

Happiness is the goal smaller!

Editor: Roelien Zwart

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Conventional is a good fallback position, isn’t it?

It took me some time to write this post as I couldn’t make up my mind if conventional is a good fallback position or not. But I guess it is a good fallback position no matter in what situation you are. By living a conventional lifestyle means to abide to certain rules and plans and follow certain procedures and structures. It is like living on the safe side of life. It is important to live your life to the fullest, and when you are unsure or in doubt of anything – you still have your old traditions and knowledge to fall back on.

I think it is important to try new things every day and figure out who you really are and what you want to achieve in life. What you learn through life will always be a part of you and we learn new things everyday.

Through learning you can also create yourself and be who you really want to be. Well, you start creating yourself from a young age but when you are young you don’t always have a 100% free choice of who you want to be and what you want to do till after school. But when you young, till then you need to go to school, you can’t choose with who you are in class with, what teachers you have and what you do every day. Your choices are very limited.  However, the day when you leave school is the day when life lies in front of you – throwing possibilities to your side. You have thousands of choices and you can decide where you want to go study and what you want to become.

Choose a different way?

Editor: Roelien Zwart

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It is a scary world – the real life!

In less than two months I will be finished with my studies, and then it is time to start the working life – or the so-called “real life”. To think about that is scary, because you are now on your own, an independent adult! There are no more lecturers to save you, no more lay backs, banking classes, off days, and relaxing at home with some friends during class breaks… all of this fun has come to an end. There are rather bosses and managers constantly on your back, loads of work, loads of responsibility, bills to pay and long hours of working.

However, it is time to start that new chapter in my life. It is going to be challenging but also fun, and something different. A new world of possibilities is opening up to me and it will give me the chance to create the kind of life I dreamed of. It had taken me a quarter of a century to get there and do it, so I’m finally ready to live on my own terms, and decide for myself what I really wanted to be doing.

That giddiness of being a student will always be there. If it ever goes away, that will be my cue to end the experiment and try something new. But now the novelty of being student is almost over and reality is slowly setting in, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I occasionally wonder if I will make a successful of my life – it is scary to think about it.

What is happening after graduation?

Editor: Roelien Zwart

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You cannot chase two rabbits at the same time…

Focus on catching one…

It is actually very common sense to know that you cannot chase two rabbits at the same time, especially when you try to catch them in an open field. It is just not possible, because they both go in a different direction with a different mindset and ability. If you think about it, you cannot chase two dreams at the same time.  The two dreams may have different goals, objectives or visions. Catch the first one, and then you go for the second one. It would be easier because if you try to catch both, then both might just get away.

On the other hand if the rabbits are in an enclosure or a smaller area, then it may be easy to catch both at the same time. It all depends on the situation you in. We also live in a century well-known as the ‘era of multitasking’ – where everyone, from students in school to adults working, is constantly doing everything at the same time. We are reading while exercising, watching news while working and even typing emails while driving. Some people think it’s not save to multitask and that one should rather concentrate on finishing one thing at a time. However, multitasking is better and quite possible, and you find yourself ticking off your to-do list much faster. LOL!

When it comes to bigger things like dreams, then I guess it is better to focus on only one thing at a time. If you go hunting, you can’t hunt two rabbits at the same time.  They run in different directions and usually fled to safety. If you hunt only one rabbit, you have a far greater chance of catching it.  Similarly, if you focus on that one dream at a time, you will complete it faster and better.  Leave the other dream for another time.

Sometimes, you can get away with handling two or more things at the same time, but most of the time, you can’t. There is a good possibility that you would miss something important, and is therefore important to think before you do. Multitasking can be hard for the brain to absorb all those information at the same time. Take it easy and catch one rabbit at a time. There will be another day where you can catch a second rabbit.

Cannot chase two rabbits at the same time…LOL

Editor: Roelien Zwart

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My best friend ~ a dog’s tale

My best friend – I love him…

Most of us own pets of which are dogs, but how much do they really mean to us? What does it really mean for a dog to be man’s best friend?

Not every dog is friendly by nature or has a friendly personality. However, we have heard many stories on how dogs have warned theirs master and saved them from danger. We have heard about dogs being separated from families and travelling many miles to get back to the home they knew and loved. A dog is not only a man’s best friend, but a dog is a woman’s and children best friend as well.

About a year ago, I got a puppy for my birthday – much unexpected but he instantly changed my life forever. My dog is not just a dog for me… he is my friend, my companion, my baby!!! He sleeps with me, we go for walks, and he rides with and is surely by my side all the time!

My dog is definitely the best thing in my life and I can say the following about him:

• My dog is loyal – I can trust him more than I can trust some humans.
• My dog has unconditional love – he is right by my side no matter what.
• My dog is a great companion – he never complains and he will spend time with me all the time.
• My dog makes me laugh, and I can even make him laugh – without struggling through a joke that is not even funny.
• I have to take my dog on long walks; therefore I contribute much of my good health to my dog. My dog certainly keeps me active!
• My dog will always greet me when I come home from work. He brightens up my day, no matter how hard my day has been.
• A best friend is someone whom you can count on. I can always count on my dog to be there for me.

My dog is my best friend and will always be! I love him so much and miss him every time he is not with me… I hope you all have that relationship with your dogs…

I make my dog laugh…

Editor: Roelien Zwart

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“Nothing is more dangerous than an idea, when you only have one idea” (Alain)

Don’t settle with only one idea…

Usually someone don’t really only have one idea and I don’t know of anyone who had only one idea and it worked. However, I do have to agree with this statement. If you think about it – if you only have one idea and it fails, then you will have nothing.

Everything starts with an idea, but nothing comes from only one idea.  An idea is a great thing and your ideas are what set you apart from the rest of the world. When you have an idea, you will eventually start somewhere with something and flesh it out; and while busy thinking and working with the idea – you will think of better ideas…

It is always better to have more than one idea… because that one idea can fail and when it fails, then you have at least more ideas to look at. I can easily relate this to the industry. While I was doing my internship, I had to compile a guest list for the client. According to the client’s brief, we had to invite 100 guests. The idea was to only invite that 100, but what I didn’t realise was that many of those guests will drop out. Therefore you have to invite at least 120 guests to make sure 100 guests will come to the event. Not all 120 will come.

An idea should always have supporting ideas. Someone might have an idea, but as soon as everyone input their ideas into your idea, then only it becomes an amazing idea to work with…

 

Editor: Roelien Zwart

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Always consider a positive attitude…

“Positive thinking is a mental attitude that admits into the mind thoughts, words and images that are conductive to growth, expansion and success. It is a mental attitude that expects good and favourable results.”

We can easily say that we always have a good and positive attitude, but ones attitude can easily change into a bad and negative attitude… A person has different qualities and requires different qualities to get trough life easily and successfully. It can be friendliness. It can be the ability to work effectively with others. What about being a good team player? Then there is always having the ability of good communication skills. However, the most important quality any individual requires is to have a positive attitude.

Being in the Public Relations Industry requires a good and positive attitude at all times. You have to be positive that you will get that interview, or getting coverage for your client. It is very important. With a positive attitude, you will surely get far in life!

It is said that when people bounce back from failure and who can see beyond the customer’s frustration to complete their goals have the magical ability – it’s called a positive attitude! The individual with a positive attitude always seems to magically pull the rabbit out of the tall top hat just when you think they can’t. But they actually can because they believe that they can. You should always think that you can, because the way we think can affect the way we behave – and that’s our attitude!

“Positive attitude can be defined as a helpful state of mind or a feeling regarding a situation or fact.” Also think about others around you… people around you are also influenced by your attitude. Having a positive attitude about things, about life and about everything around with definitely get you very far in life!

Editor: Roelien Zwart

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Have you figured out the second head fake?

Life is not fair! Life is not easy! Life is full of its own surprises! And life is always in a bit of a hurry and sometimes scary… We are all just humans and unfortunately we cannot predict the future and what will be happening in the future. Well, I guess some scientists think they can predict the future… but life turns its own way.

Busy, busy, busy, we are all sooo busy. We have no time and we have a set schedule for everyday – planned precisely. When someone asks us how we are doing, then we say …”Busy”! We work long hours and then even brag about it. We talk on our cellphones whilst doing almost everything. We want to look busy and reflect our busyness to other at every opportunity… mmm, why are we doing that?

Maybe we should re-look our busy lives and think again what life really is about. What does life really want to tell us…? We are all rushing towards our dreams, thinking that working hard at all time will be a result of achieving our dreams… Sometimes we overwhelm ourselves to please others. Well, isn’t our busyness perhaps a sign of weakness? By rushing your life and being busy won’t really help to achieve your goals and dreams faster…

If I can refer to Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture, it was truly an eye opening for the world and being a truly inspirational attempt to point the way for us. “This lecture is not about how to achieve your dreams; it’s about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself; the dreams will come to you.”

Life is a journey, a journey that you have to walk and experience. You have to experience bumps on your way, fall over them. But you have to stand up and carry on. You need to lead your life through this journey and if you lead your life the right way… yah you know the rest!!!! Your busyness is perhaps a sign that life is not yours anymore… so have you figured out your second head fake?

Have you figured out the second head fake?

Editor: Roelien Zwart

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A small change but a BIG difference

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” ~ Edward Everett Hale

This is such true words being said in the quote by Edward Everett Hale. I cannot do everything and I cannot perhaps change everything in the world that matters to me. However, I can do something, even if it is something small because small changes can make a big difference in the end. You should also do what you can do, because you are just a human. Do the best that you can do to change it… and don’t let those things you can’t do interfere with what you can do… 😉

Two and a half years back, I worked for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA where my vision for animals changed entirely… I was so fortunate to be a part of the SPCA Team. By volunteering, I already made a difference. One extra hand can put one extra dog/cat in a good home. I was always an animal lover, but my love for animals truly grew deeper and deeper into my heart when I saw their sad little faces behind the enclosures…

Make a difference

When you want to change something in life, it can somehow feel overwhelming. Whether it’s donating clothes or food to orphanages, starting to volunteer at animal shelters, or even helping to paint a room for a little girl/boy in an orphanage home, it might be just a change you’re desperately keen to make… but getting started is really tough!

We think that we have busy lives, running around and doing things. We make our own lives busy and in the end we say “Oh I don’t have the time to spend at any of the animal shelters or orphanage homes.” We can make time! Because 10 minutes of your time is already a BIG difference in someone else’s or something else’s life!

You don’t have to take huge, sweeping, radical steps, though. Small and simple changes are often the best way forwards – they’re sustainable and manageable, and you’re not likely to give after one half-hearted attempt. So make a change, even if it is so small – remember that a small change turns into a BIG difference!!!

My difference at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA

Editor: Roelien Zwart

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I am…

I am a WOMAN!

I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an’ pretend
‘Cause I’ve heard it all before
And I’ve been down there on the floor
No one’s ever gonna keep me down again

Oh yes, I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to
I can do anything
I am strong
I am invincible
I am woman

You can bend but never break me
‘Cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
‘Cause you’ve deepened the conviction in my soul

Yes, I’m a Woman! I am also proud to be a woman and being a woman, has never been more fun! Women are usually subjected to a lot more lifestyle pressures than men in this male dominated world, but womanhood has its perks too.

Women are more tuned to their emotions than males and we definitely find it easier to express ourselves.

Most men wouldn’t be caught dead crying in public, but women will find a number of reasons to burst into tears. Tears are like medicine for us. It helps us with frustration, emotions, even love…

Being a woman is fabulous… we can dress up fancy, wear the heels, mascara, and pump the lips with red lipstick… its just part of being a woman…

Another perk of being a woman is our ability to shop, shop, and shop! We never get tired of shopping and spending some bucks $$$$$! Shopping with your man might be boring, but shopping with your GIRLS…. Is the best thing ever! (Just make sure your man gave his credit card!)

As women, we also have wonderful self-support systems. There are a number of pampering techniques that we can use to pick ourselves up again, such as the bubble bath, an afternoon of retail therapy or for those of us who truly like to be spoilt, an all-day sitting session at the beauty salon. Now this is truly the beauty of being a woman!

Be proud that you are a woman! You are special and just think of all the benefits we have that men don’t!

Happy Women’s Day!!!

Editor: Roelien Zwart

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